History of NoCo Honor Band:
The Northern Colorado Honor Band is a collaboration between the Band programs of the Poudre School District and the Thompson School District high schools, including Loveland, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Mountain View, Rocky Mountain, Poudre, Thompson Valley and Windsor High Schools. In 2014-2015, the Honor Band expanded to include Windsor High School, as well as area Charter Schools. Students are selected through an audition, and participate in an evening of sectional rehearsal, as well as a weekend honor band rehearsal with our guest conductor, culminating in a concert performance. Since it's inception, the Northern Colorado Honor Band has strived to feature some of the finest musicians/conductors/educations in our profession, and has quickly become a premiere honor band event.
Past Conductors & Repertoire:
2023
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Stephen Peterson, University of Illinois - retired
Repertoire: Shortcut Home - Dana Wilson; Hounds of Spring - Alfred Reed; Shenandoah - arr. Omar Thomas; The Black Horse Troop March - John Phillip Sousa/arr. Fennell
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, University of Illinois - retired
Repertoire: Florentiner March - Julius Fucik/arr. Fennell; Cape Breton Postcard - Catherine McMichael; Rocketship - Kevin Day; Remembering the Remarkables - Grace Bougher
2022
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Haley Armstrong, South Dakota School of Mines
Repertoire: Merry-Go Round - Yukiko Nishimura; Prelude to the Shining Day - Yo Goto; Sang - Dana Wilson; Yiddish Dances - Adam Gorb
Symphonic Band: Dr. Frank Tracz, Kansas State University
Repertoire: Arabian Dances - Brian Balmages; Cenotaph - Jack Stamp; Century of Service - Ryan Nowlin; Foundy - John Mackey; Unfurl - Michael Mikulka
2021
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Haley Armstrong, South Dakota School of Mines
Symphonic Band: Dr. Frank Tracz, Kansas State University
2021 was not held in person due to the COVID pandemic. Students had online sessions with our guest directors, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, college sectional coaches and representatives from many local universities, but no performance was given.
2020
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Harlan Parker, Peabody Conservatory of Music
Repertoire: Wedding Dance - Jacques Press; Symphony no. 1 'Lord of the Rings', mvt. I - 'Gandalf', mvt. IV - 'Journey in the Dark, mvt. V - 'Hobbits'; Johan Demeij
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr Emily A. Moss, California Sate Los Angeles
Repertoire: Kirkpatrick Fanfare - Andrew Boysen, Jr.; Satiric Dances - Norman Dello Joio; American Embers - James Stephenson; Theme from Green Bushes - Percy A. Grainger arr. Daehn; Inglesina - David Delle Cese, arr. Bourgeois
2019
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Emily Threinen, University of Minnesota
Repertoire: Through the Looking Glass - Jess Turner; Let My Love be Heard - Jake Runestad; Variations on a Korean Folk Song - John Barnes Chance; Rest - Frank Ticheli; Athletic Festival March, Op. 69, No. 1 - Sergei Prokofiev
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. Charles West, Virginia Commonwealth University (retired)
Repertoire: Imaginarium - Randall Standridge; Lightening Field - John Mackey; Three Celtic Dances - Brian Balmages; Symphonic Dance No. 3 - Clifton Williams
2018
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Donald McKinney, University of Colorado - Boulder
Repertoire: Luminescence - David Beidenbender; Bloom - Steven Bryant; Apollo Unleashed - Frank Ticheli; The Klaxon - Henry Fillmore/F. Fennell
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. Gerard Morris, University of Puget Sound
Repertoire: Early Light - Carolyn Bremer; Sheltering Sky - John Mackey; Greek Folk Song Suite - Franco Cesarini; Dance of the Jesters - Tchaikovsky/R. Cramer
2017
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Robert Carnochan, University of Miami - Frost School of Music
Repertoire: Freischutz Quickstep - Claudio Grafulla; A la Machaut - Andrew Boss; Elegy for Albinoni - Shelly Hansen; Vesuvius - Frank Ticheli
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. J. Steven Moore, University of Miami - Frost School of Music
Repertoire: A Festival Prelude - Alfred Reed; Bayou Breakdown - Brant Karrick; Salvation is Created - Tschesnokoff/Houseknecht; Khan - Julie Giroux
2016
Conductor: Richard Floyd, University of Texas - University Interscholastic League (Emeritus)
Repertoire: In This Broad Earth - Steven Bryant; Sleep - Eric Whitacre; Zing! - Scott McAllister; Melodious Thunk - David Beidenbender; San Antonio Dances - Frank Ticheli
2015
Conductor: Allan R. McMurray, University of Colorado - Boulder (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Symphony #1 "The Lord of the Rings" mvmt. 1 - "Gandalf" - Johan de Meij; First Suite in E-Flat - Gustav Holst; My Jesus Oh What Anguish - J.S. Bach/Alfred Reed; Angels in the Architecture - Frank Ticheli; America the Beautiful - Samual A. Ward/Carmen Dragon
2014
Conductor: Ray E. Cramer, Indiana University (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Dancing in Air - Yo Goto; Court Festival - William Latham; Mountain Thyme - Samuel Hazo - Armenian Dances, Part 1 - Alfred Reed; El Capitan March - John Philip Sousa
2013
Conductor: Paula Crider, University of Texas (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Culloden - Julie Giroux; Free Running - Robert Buckley; Salvation is Created - Tschesnokoff/Houseknecht; The Washington Post March - John Philip Sousa/Schissel
2012
Conductor: Col. Lowell E. Graham, University of Texas-El Paso, United States Air Force Band (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Fanfare for West Point - James Barnes; Journey Through Orion - Julie Giroux; They Hung Their Harps in the Willows - W. Francis McBeth; Satiric Dances - Norman Dello Joio; The Big Cage March - Karl L. King
2011
Conductor: Dr. Dennis Glocke, Penn State University
Repertoire: Triumphant Fanfare - Richard Saucedo; Second Suite in F - Gustav Holst; Three Vespers from All Night Vigil - Sergei Rachmaninoff; Variants on a Mediaeval Tune - Norman Dello Joio; The Big Cage March - Karl L. King
2010
Conductor: Dr. Jay Gephart
Repertoire: Children's March "Over the Hills and Far Away" - Percy Grainger; The Dragoon's Farewell - Brant Karrick; Arabesque - Samuel Hazo; Symphonic Dance #3 "Fiesta" - Clifton Williams; The National Emblem March - E. E. Bagley
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Stephen Peterson, University of Illinois - retired
Repertoire: Shortcut Home - Dana Wilson; Hounds of Spring - Alfred Reed; Shenandoah - arr. Omar Thomas; The Black Horse Troop March - John Phillip Sousa/arr. Fennell
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, University of Illinois - retired
Repertoire: Florentiner March - Julius Fucik/arr. Fennell; Cape Breton Postcard - Catherine McMichael; Rocketship - Kevin Day; Remembering the Remarkables - Grace Bougher
2022
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Haley Armstrong, South Dakota School of Mines
Repertoire: Merry-Go Round - Yukiko Nishimura; Prelude to the Shining Day - Yo Goto; Sang - Dana Wilson; Yiddish Dances - Adam Gorb
Symphonic Band: Dr. Frank Tracz, Kansas State University
Repertoire: Arabian Dances - Brian Balmages; Cenotaph - Jack Stamp; Century of Service - Ryan Nowlin; Foundy - John Mackey; Unfurl - Michael Mikulka
2021
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Haley Armstrong, South Dakota School of Mines
Symphonic Band: Dr. Frank Tracz, Kansas State University
2021 was not held in person due to the COVID pandemic. Students had online sessions with our guest directors, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, college sectional coaches and representatives from many local universities, but no performance was given.
2020
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Harlan Parker, Peabody Conservatory of Music
Repertoire: Wedding Dance - Jacques Press; Symphony no. 1 'Lord of the Rings', mvt. I - 'Gandalf', mvt. IV - 'Journey in the Dark, mvt. V - 'Hobbits'; Johan Demeij
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr Emily A. Moss, California Sate Los Angeles
Repertoire: Kirkpatrick Fanfare - Andrew Boysen, Jr.; Satiric Dances - Norman Dello Joio; American Embers - James Stephenson; Theme from Green Bushes - Percy A. Grainger arr. Daehn; Inglesina - David Delle Cese, arr. Bourgeois
2019
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Emily Threinen, University of Minnesota
Repertoire: Through the Looking Glass - Jess Turner; Let My Love be Heard - Jake Runestad; Variations on a Korean Folk Song - John Barnes Chance; Rest - Frank Ticheli; Athletic Festival March, Op. 69, No. 1 - Sergei Prokofiev
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. Charles West, Virginia Commonwealth University (retired)
Repertoire: Imaginarium - Randall Standridge; Lightening Field - John Mackey; Three Celtic Dances - Brian Balmages; Symphonic Dance No. 3 - Clifton Williams
2018
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Donald McKinney, University of Colorado - Boulder
Repertoire: Luminescence - David Beidenbender; Bloom - Steven Bryant; Apollo Unleashed - Frank Ticheli; The Klaxon - Henry Fillmore/F. Fennell
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. Gerard Morris, University of Puget Sound
Repertoire: Early Light - Carolyn Bremer; Sheltering Sky - John Mackey; Greek Folk Song Suite - Franco Cesarini; Dance of the Jesters - Tchaikovsky/R. Cramer
2017
Wind Ensemble Conductor: Dr. Robert Carnochan, University of Miami - Frost School of Music
Repertoire: Freischutz Quickstep - Claudio Grafulla; A la Machaut - Andrew Boss; Elegy for Albinoni - Shelly Hansen; Vesuvius - Frank Ticheli
Symphonic Band Conductor: Dr. J. Steven Moore, University of Miami - Frost School of Music
Repertoire: A Festival Prelude - Alfred Reed; Bayou Breakdown - Brant Karrick; Salvation is Created - Tschesnokoff/Houseknecht; Khan - Julie Giroux
2016
Conductor: Richard Floyd, University of Texas - University Interscholastic League (Emeritus)
Repertoire: In This Broad Earth - Steven Bryant; Sleep - Eric Whitacre; Zing! - Scott McAllister; Melodious Thunk - David Beidenbender; San Antonio Dances - Frank Ticheli
2015
Conductor: Allan R. McMurray, University of Colorado - Boulder (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Symphony #1 "The Lord of the Rings" mvmt. 1 - "Gandalf" - Johan de Meij; First Suite in E-Flat - Gustav Holst; My Jesus Oh What Anguish - J.S. Bach/Alfred Reed; Angels in the Architecture - Frank Ticheli; America the Beautiful - Samual A. Ward/Carmen Dragon
2014
Conductor: Ray E. Cramer, Indiana University (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Dancing in Air - Yo Goto; Court Festival - William Latham; Mountain Thyme - Samuel Hazo - Armenian Dances, Part 1 - Alfred Reed; El Capitan March - John Philip Sousa
2013
Conductor: Paula Crider, University of Texas (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Culloden - Julie Giroux; Free Running - Robert Buckley; Salvation is Created - Tschesnokoff/Houseknecht; The Washington Post March - John Philip Sousa/Schissel
2012
Conductor: Col. Lowell E. Graham, University of Texas-El Paso, United States Air Force Band (Emeritus)
Repertoire: Fanfare for West Point - James Barnes; Journey Through Orion - Julie Giroux; They Hung Their Harps in the Willows - W. Francis McBeth; Satiric Dances - Norman Dello Joio; The Big Cage March - Karl L. King
2011
Conductor: Dr. Dennis Glocke, Penn State University
Repertoire: Triumphant Fanfare - Richard Saucedo; Second Suite in F - Gustav Holst; Three Vespers from All Night Vigil - Sergei Rachmaninoff; Variants on a Mediaeval Tune - Norman Dello Joio; The Big Cage March - Karl L. King
2010
Conductor: Dr. Jay Gephart
Repertoire: Children's March "Over the Hills and Far Away" - Percy Grainger; The Dragoon's Farewell - Brant Karrick; Arabesque - Samuel Hazo; Symphonic Dance #3 "Fiesta" - Clifton Williams; The National Emblem March - E. E. Bagley
History of NoCo Honor Jazz Band:
In 2018-2019, the NoCo Honor Bands are expanding to include a Jazz Ensemble. Students are selected through an audition, and participate in an evening of sectional rehearsal, ensemble rehearsal, as well as a rehearsal with a guest Director, culminating in a concert performance.
Past Jazz Conductor & Repertoire:
2021-22
Director: Paul McKee, University of Colorado, Boulder
Repertoir: The Nearness of You - George Gershwin/arr. Mark Taylor; Tall and Lanky - Jeff Coffin/arr. Brett Zvacek; One By One - Wayne Shorter/arr. Mark Taylor; Billie's Bounce - Charlie Parker/arr. Paul McKee
2020-21
Director: Peter Sommer, Colorado State University
Repertoire: Happy Go-Lucky-Local - Duke Ellington; Cute - Neal Hefti/arr. Bob Mintzer; Una Mas - Kenny Dorham/arr. Michael Philip Mossman
2019
Director: Jim White and Erik Applegate, University of Northern Colorado
Repertoire: Front Burner - Nestico; I Can't Stop Loving You - Don Gibson/arr. Quincy Jones; Ran Kan Kan - Tito Puente/arr. Michael Philip Mossman; Such Sweet Thunder - Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn; The Sidewinder - Lee Morgan/arr. Mark Taylor; To You - Thad Jones
2018
Director: Dana Landry, University of Northern Colorado
Repertoire: Front Porch Swing - Drew Zaremba; T's Waltz - Erik Applegate; Liquid Descent - Greg Weis; This I Dig of You - Hank Mobley/arr. Mike Tomaro; Firsts - Mike Conrad
Director: Paul McKee, University of Colorado, Boulder
Repertoir: The Nearness of You - George Gershwin/arr. Mark Taylor; Tall and Lanky - Jeff Coffin/arr. Brett Zvacek; One By One - Wayne Shorter/arr. Mark Taylor; Billie's Bounce - Charlie Parker/arr. Paul McKee
2020-21
Director: Peter Sommer, Colorado State University
Repertoire: Happy Go-Lucky-Local - Duke Ellington; Cute - Neal Hefti/arr. Bob Mintzer; Una Mas - Kenny Dorham/arr. Michael Philip Mossman
2019
Director: Jim White and Erik Applegate, University of Northern Colorado
Repertoire: Front Burner - Nestico; I Can't Stop Loving You - Don Gibson/arr. Quincy Jones; Ran Kan Kan - Tito Puente/arr. Michael Philip Mossman; Such Sweet Thunder - Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn; The Sidewinder - Lee Morgan/arr. Mark Taylor; To You - Thad Jones
2018
Director: Dana Landry, University of Northern Colorado
Repertoire: Front Porch Swing - Drew Zaremba; T's Waltz - Erik Applegate; Liquid Descent - Greg Weis; This I Dig of You - Hank Mobley/arr. Mike Tomaro; Firsts - Mike Conrad
